The Crimson Tide have been on a roll ever since the 2012 season began. The defense is playing better than ever, the offense is averaging 40 points per contest and the team is off to a wonderful 5-0 start.

But the team released some horrible news this week, as running back Dee Hart and wide receiver DeAndrew White will miss the remainder of the season with knee injuries.

"The MRI indicated that both Dee and DeAndrew sustained knee injuries that will require surgery and they will be out for the year," head coach Nick Saban said in a statement, according to Alex Scarborough of ESPN.

Alabama breezed through its first couple of tests against Michigan and Arkansas, but the big game against the LSU Tigers is coming up in the first week of November. And while that will be the matchup everyone is focused on, you can expect Alabama to still win the showdown between these two SEC powerhouses.

Who wins the LSU-Alabama game in November?

Alabama LSUSubmit Votevote to see results

Who wins the LSU-Alabama game in November?

Alabama

87.3%

LSU

12.7%

Total votes: 1,072

Even with these injuries, the Crimson Tide are still the team to beat, simply because the injuries didn't occur to any key players on the roster. White is currently fifth on the team with 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions, but there are other receivers who have stepped up this season to replace him.

A position that was considered a weakness before the season began is now looking like one of the more talented groups this program has had in a while. Amari Cooper is beginning to shine, as he leads the team with 17 receptions and 222 yards. Kenny Bell is looking to have his biggest season yet, as he has seven receptions for 138 yards.

Kevin Norwood and Christion Jones, receivers who are expected to help replace White, have already made solid contributions to the offense. And with the way quarterback AJ McCarron is playing, it doesn't really matter who is playing the wide receiver position. The junior quarterback is making great decisions with the football, is completing 66 percent of his passes and has already shown what he can do to an LSU defense.

As for running back, if there was any team that could afford an injury to the position, it was Alabama. Sure, this team already lost Jalston Fowler, but Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon are still healthy and running strong. It does make the position thinner than it was a couple of weeks ago, but Alabama still has one of the better 1-2 punches at the running back position. If something happens to one of them, then we can talk about a possible turn for the worst with this program.

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Injuries are never fun for any team to experience, but with Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon carrying the load, the injury to Dee Hart won't hurt as bad.

It is really simple when it comes to these two injuries: you hate to see them happen, but these aren't key players that Alabama absolutely needed to defend its title run. The squad is clicking on both sides of the ball, the offense still has its main core and LSU let Towson hang around for all four quarters.

I liked Alabama against LSU last week and still like them in November, even with the two unfortunate injuries that took place during the weekend.